UMass Dartmouth and Ocean Explorium announce long-term partnership

NEW BEDFORD — At a time when scientists are grappling to find solutions to climate change, rising sea levels and the fate of the fishing industry, the Ocean Explorium and UMass Dartmouth have announced a unique partnership.

*UMass Dartmouth's Science on a SphereŽ exhibit at the Ocean Explorium will be a permanent loan.

Source: UMass Dartmouth

» Social News

NEW BEDFORD — At a time when scientists are grappling to find solutions to climate change, rising sea levels and the fate of the fishing industry, the Ocean Explorium and UMass Dartmouth have announced a unique partnership.

"I just think the Ocean Explorium plays a tremendous role for New Bedford and the SouthCoast where education really needs to be fostered and promoted," said Steven Lohrenz, dean of the School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST).

Lohrenz, who is on the explorium's board of governors, will serve as a liaison, according to a press release from UMass Dartmouth.

The two entities have enjoyed a long relationship sharing research and educational opportunities but the "memorandum of understanding," signed this week by Chancellor Divina Grossman and Ocean Explorium Chairman Albino Dias, will formalize the partnership, Lohrenz said.

"This agreement enables us to continue the important work of providing STEM education to area K-12 students, UMass students, local school teachers and the general public," Dias said in the release.

The Explorium's budget took a big hit when the university withdrew $300,000 in annual support last summer — nearly a third of the science education center's annual budget. While the partnership won't change things or bring in new dollars, it "certainly states the university is committed to its community partnerships," said Patricia Cassan, director of administration and finance at the Explorium.

A positive outcome is the permanent loan of the Science on a Sphere® exhibit from the university. The signature exhibit creates a 3D image of the earth and demonstrates environmental issues and real time information like ocean currents and human populations at the Explorium.

Both entities will also be able to jointly apply for grants and support each other's research opportunities.

Mayor Jon Mitchell said in the release the new move "makes good sense" and "should strengthen the competitiveness of Ocean Explorium in pursuing private philanthropic support in the future."

The partnership "will allow us to continue to provide our unique, ocean-focused informal education to the greater New Bedford community," said Abbey Spargo, executive director of the Explorium, in the release.

UMass Dartmouth students are among the 175,000 learners who have been introduced to 21st century technology at the Explorium since 2008, Spargo said in the release.

"We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership with the Ocean Explorium," Grossman said in the release. "We are pleased that the amazing Science on a Sphere® and other exhibits supported by students and faculty will be permanent fixtures at the facility. We are also excited about creating new opportunities for our students to learn by serving at the Ocean Explorium."